The question is being downvoted because googling the answer would yield more productive answers.
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mfgDec 1 '11 at 21:03

@mfg thanks, that makes some sense, but this question is more a question of how people use the terms not the technical/scientific side of the question.
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AliDec 1 '11 at 21:08

1

@mfg I think this meta question is relevant. Generally, google-ability doesn't make a bad question. I was surprised in answering this question that I couldn't find the exact question in a Google search, and I still haven't seen a site (or answer, including my own) that really compares the two in a culinary context rather than just describing them individually.
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GregorDec 1 '11 at 21:10

4 Answers
4

Oats are among the many cereal grains consumed. Oats are very popular in the health food movement because of their high nutritional value, and they have been used in breakfast porridge for centuries for much the same reason. Oats have a nutty flavour that is an excellent supplement to bread and other foods. Oats are high in protein, calcium, fiber, and vitamin E, among many other nutritional needs, and are an excellent dietary supplement for this reason. Today, oats are eaten in the form of oatmeal and granola bars.

Barley

Part of the grass family, barley grows in over 100 countries and is
one of the most popular cereal crops, surpassed only by wheat, corn
and rice. Because barley is a whole-grain food, consumption provides
several health benefits. It is high is soluble fiber and can reduce
blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. Barley is also low in fat.
Pearled barley is widely available in supermarkets near the rice, dry
beans and pulses. Barley flour is available in health food markets. It
is used as a thickener for soups and stews, and also in baked goods.
In some recipes, you can combine barley flour with wheat flour. Barley
flakes are used in baked goods. Barley is also used in the malted
form. To form barley malt, the barley kernels are soaked and dried.
The kernels sprout in a controlled environment. Along with beer, uses
for barley malt include extracts, syrups and flavourings. Cooked
pearled barley added to a salad provides extra fiber. Main dishes,
soups and stews, baked goods and breakfast foods also include barley
as an ingredient.

Nice descriptions of each, but what are the differences? What would make you choose one or the other when making a bread or soup or something? How do their tastes and cooking methods compare?
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GregorDec 2 '11 at 7:53

The differences are already listed. As far as what to make with each that depends on your own distinct tastes. Obviously you wouldn't use oatmeal in soup...The point is to discover how you like it... You can also experiment, a friend just gave me a recipe for oatmeal pancakes. You put the oatmeal in a food processer and add eggs and other ingredients to add flavor. Cooking methods also vary with each different recipe..
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AvienDec 2 '11 at 13:55

1

I would just like to point out that in the first picture the oats are rolled (which is a very common way to find them). Without that processing step (or if the barley had been rolled as well), oats and barley would look almost exactly alike.
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SourDohAug 21 '13 at 16:19

@Avien You can make soup with oatmeal. It make a delicious soup, trust me :>
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kaptanDec 28 '13 at 1:15

Thanks, I should tell you that in our local grocery I asked for oats and they gave me barley (it might have been a misunderstanding because my English is not perfect and their English was not good either).
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AliDec 1 '11 at 18:32

1

Downvoted because this answer does not describe the difference between barley and oats which is what the question asked for.
–
wdypdx22Dec 2 '11 at 0:43

2

How do you describe the differences between an apple and a goat? They are unrelated; they have nothing to do with each other, other than both being grains.
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Aaron TraasDec 2 '11 at 13:23

They are very similar, but not the same. This site gives a nice overview highlighting some differences. The biggest differences may be how they are traditionally used. In the US, barley is used mostly for beer/liquor-making and animal feed, less commonly as food. However oats are common in bread, oatmeal, etc. In Europe, I believe barley is more commonly used than oats as food for humans, but I don't have a source on that. Its uses are similar to oats: bread, soups, stews. Flavor-wise oats are a little nuttier.

In Canada, I feel both are sold separately. In Bulk Barn store I buy steel-cut oats for my porridge whereas rolled oats are different denomination. Difference between the two doesn't seem to specific or very clear to absorb.